Vintage decor, yogurt shops proposed for Village

A store selling vintage furnishings and home décor and a yogurt shop could soon open their doors in the Village.

Friends Kimberly Jenkins of Brookfield and Penny Stark of Wauwatosa have proposed setting up "an occasional store," called Twirly Birds, that would be open for business for one long weekend per month. The rest of their time would be spent shopping estate sales and antique shops and creating pieces for the next sale.

"These are really big in Minnesota," Jenkins said. "I've been following this type of store for some time and one town has six or seven. Women know the sale schedule and plan ahead of time to be there."

The idea is that pieces are unusual and the inventory is always changing. With the older homes in Wauwatosa, the duo see a market for vintage and antique pieces.

The friends each boast creative talents. Jenkins paints furniture, giving older pieces a contemporary look, whereas Stark uses aged china, enamel pins, earrings and other materials to make mosaic picture frames and decorative interior accents. For five years they've sold at craft shows and been asked where their store is located.

If the city approves - selling secondhand merchandise requires a special permit - Twirly Birds would open in April in the spot formerly occupied by Authentic Journeys, 7532 W. State St. Authentic Journeys is expanding by relocating to an Underwood Avenue storefront.

Brookfield couple Scott and Becky Berger may fill another Village vacancy by opening Yo Mama! in 1,800 square feet of the former Drew's Variety Store building, 7503 Harwood Ave.

The Bergers and their four daughters, ages 7 to 18, traveled to Arizona, where frozen yogurt shops are popular.

"It was healthy, and they had no idea," Becky Berger said. "I was like, 'We should have this back home.' "

The taste and consistency of frozen yogurt has come a long way in the past few years to closer replicate ice cream, she said. But for those that still crave the tart taste, they will have one old-school recipe on hand. And sorbet will be available for people who maintain a dairy-free diet.

Customers will serve themselves from one of five soft-serve machines offering 10 yogurt flavors. Then they can scoop out nuts, fruit or candy from the toppings bar. The cost depends on the weight of the final concoction.

Because this is Wisconsin, where the cold weather months can be numerous, they will make hot chocolate from real chocolate and cook up a variety of Pizzele cookies, an Italian treat pressed thin with an iron.

The vibe will be lounge-style with a fireplace, so kids and their parents will want to hang out in the shop, Berger said. As part of the renovation of the former Drew's building, outdoor seating is planned come summer.

The sustainable remodeling studio Go Green and floral shop/resale wedding shop Pollen opened in the building in October and more retail space will be rented out.